And the Galway-headquartered third level college said it is “not financially sustainable” for it to “support the campus from its own resources”.

In a letter to the HEA, Jim Fennell, GMIT Vice President of Finance and Corporate Services, appealed for the reinstatement of state grants to subsidise the Mayo campus.

Mr Fennell pointed out that the Mayo campus was set up in 1994, “at the behest of the Department of Education” with the support of ring-fenced funding.

He said it was recognised over 20 years ago that the campus would require continued financial support, and a commitment was given that Mayo “would not be a financial burden” on Galway.

He said that GMIT had supported the Mayo campus despite “significant reductions” in state support over the past five years.

“We now wish to advise you that GMIT is not in a financial position to continue this financial support,” he said.

He said it is the view of GMIT Governing Body that, “while the support of regional development is highly desirable, the Mayo campus is only sustainable if the state funding model is amended to reinstate the dedicated funding for the (Mayo) campus”.